Improvement in signal-frames



w. H. SPRAGUE;

` lSignal Frame. No. 47,230. Patented Apri-l11,1865.N

me @fram/Wm NrTnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM H. aSIRAGUE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN l SIGNAL-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 47,230, dated April 1l,1865.

- signal so that it can be distinctly discerned during a calm or whenthere is no wind.

To enable others to make and use my in vention, I will proceed todescribe its construetion and operation.

I construct the angular frame with four (4) different kinds ofjoints-viz., A, B, C, and D. (See accompanying drawing.) Joint A is atonguejoint, with a slide to cover the joint to make it firm. Joints Bare swivel-joints, revolving on the rods A B and D B at the upper andlower parts of the frame, and will allow the rods D B at the end to openonly to its proper angle and to close to the rods A B and D B. Joint()is an Vangular joint, which allows the rods A C and D G to open only toits proper angle, which angle depends upon the length of the rod B D B.Joints D are joints which allow their rods to open and close only in onedirection. Upon each of the upper and lower parts of the frame are two(2) rings so placed as to allow the frame to hang in its properposition. Attached to the ring on the rod C D is a short cord or rope,sufficiently long to allow a ring at the other end of it to be levelwith the ring on the rod D B, and which will allow the said angularframe to hang in its proper position when placed below a square frame.Attached to each of the rings on the lower part of the frame is a shortcord or rope, having on the other end a swivel-clasp and sufficientlylong to allow a square frame to hang in its proper position when placedbelow. rhe said angular-frame may be closed as follows-viz.: first,close the joints D, which bring the joints B together; second, removethe slide from oit' the joint A and further close the frame by joints Aand D; third, and last, close the end with joint B.

I construct the square frame with two (2) different kinds ofjoints-viz., D and E. (See accompanying drawing.) Joints D are the sameas in the angular frame. Joints E, at each corner, allow their rods,respectively, to open only in a right an gie and close together.

Upon each of the rupper and lower parts of the frame are two (2) ringsplaced as in the angular frame. Attached to the two (2) lower rings is acord or rope, having a swivel-clasp at the lower end suftciently long toallow other frames to hang in their proper positions below. The saidsquare frame may be closed as follows: first, close the joints D at theend, which bring the upper and lower part together; second, close theother joints D,which bring all the joints E together 5 third, andlastly, close with joints E.

The material of which the signal is coinposed is to be sewed around eachframe, allowing suflicient space for each joint to operate. Attached tothe halliards by which the signals are hoisted is a short cord or rope,forming two (2) legs, having 011 the end ot' each leg a swivel-clasp tohookon the rings of the uppermost signal.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

Two (2) kinds of frames, to extend signals when there is no wind, asherein described and set forth in this specification.

WILLIAM H. SPRAGUE.

Witnesses:

S. W. WILLIAMS, E. H. BATES.

